Funding Database: Environmental Enhancement

In 2000, the Attorney General and Smithfield Foods entered into a 25-year agreement that provides $2 million per year for environmental projects across the state. The Environmental Enhancement Grant (EEG) Program uses this funding to award grants to preserve and enhance North Carolina’s natural resources. 

The EEG Program offers grants to nonprofit entities for projects that improve the air, water and land quality of North Carolina. The grant provides support for land acquisition, construction, planning, conservation and research projects with a focus on underserved communities in eastern North Carolina. Priority is also given to projects that directly improve the water quality in the Cape Fear, Lumber, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and White Oak river basins.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations, including academic institutions and government entities.

Eligible Projects

The EEG Program awards grants for projects in the areas of land acquisitions, construction, remediation, restoration, planning, education and research. The grants are often used for closure of hog waste lagoons, stormwater remediation, and aquatic and wetland resource conservation activities. 

Preference is given to projects that address environmental harm and damage to overburdened and underserved communities in the Cape Fear, Lumber, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and White Oak river basins. The EEG Program also prioritizes projects that improve North Carolina’s air, water and land quality by addressing the goals of the Smithfield Agreement, which aim to reduce the environmental burden created by Smithfield Foods farming and hog waste management practices.

Funding Amount

EEG awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000.

Match Requirements

EEG does not require matching funding. However, the appropriateness of the proposed budget is an evaluation criteria and matching funds are encouraged.

Application Schedule

In 2024, Letters of Intent were due March 1. Complete proposals were due April 4.

Application Process

The EEG Program posts the Request for Proposal (RFP) on the EEG website. The RFP includes a checklist of required items for submission. The requirements depend on what type of entity is applying and the amount of funding requested. Requirements may include:

• Letter of Intent
• Proposal that is 10 pages or less
• Application
• Line-item budget and budget narrative
• Timeline
• IRS letter showing tax-exempt status
• Letter of commitment from executive director or board chair
• List of staff or principal investigators with biography information or curriculum vitae
• Current organizational budget
• One to three letters of support
• Optional photos and maps

The RFP includes a link to the website where you can submit a letter of intent. Upon submission, the EEG Program will provide the required full application forms.

Application Assistance

The RFP includes a detailed description of application evaluation criteria. The EEG website includes dates and links to informational meetings regarding the letter of intent and completed proposal. The EEG Program holds informational meetings throughout the application cycle. Contact EEG@ncdoj.gov if you have further questions.

Funding Source

Funding is provided by the NC DOJ through a settlement with Smithfield Foods. Funding is secured from 2002-2027.